Store front construction



Dec. 30, 1941. E. F. TONEY ETAL STORE FRONT CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 5, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l s W N w .TE N M 0 N r EwM M 3m W e a p L w M w 0 Y E a m ,m vU 9 W 4 mm a a e w a n 2 U 0 M 1 a 3 MW 3 m Dec. 30, 1941. E. F. TONEY ETAL STORE FRONT CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 3, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m w m m w; .m me, @n TN A g 3 Z km W Dec. 30, 1941. E. F. TONEY ETAL STORE FRONT CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 3, 1959 5 .lkdl flnflll;llr 6 W m 0 6 7 9w 6 8 6% w 8 6 5 F a O 1 1/ l l l 5 f L m TE w E mm 0mm m W m 57 A Mi a I 3 F m E. F. TONEY ETAL STORE FRONT-CONSTRUCTION Dec. 30, 1941.

Filed Feb. 3, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Tan/E7 mva BY WIL- -IHM OWE/V ma 6. 6w

ATTORNEY F W W F Dec. 30, 1941. E. F. TONEY ETAL STORE FRONT CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 3, 1939 1 I l I I I I l/ I I IINVENTORS ATTORNEY I I, /I l l I EbuJ RD BY WILL-{HM Owe/v 022 6 62b Patented Dec. 30, 1941 STORE FRONT CONSTRUCTION Edward F. Toney and William Owen, Pittsburgh,

Pa., assignors to Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 3, 1939, Serial No. 254,496

8 Claims.

This invention relates to demountable panel installations and it has particular relation to store front construction featuring the mounting of plate glass, or like, panels.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved assembly of panel and demountable devices which can be conveniently disassembled, but which positively resist movement of the panel tending to displace the latter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction for positively securing a glazed panel in a store front construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved spring clip which is adapted to be sprung into and out of engagement with parts of a store front. or the like, to look a panel positively in place.

In one arrangement, in which the invention has been included, a panel of glass, or like member, is supported in a base frame construction and can be provided with spaced centering blocks about its edges to insure its proper position in the frame. The base has a portion which normally is disposed in abutting relation to the rear side of the panel. Clips of suitable shape are applied upon the front side of the panel and each clip can be in the form of an angle memher of resilient sheet material, a portion of which is provided with a locking element adapted to be interlocked with a companion element formed upon the base member. Removable fastening devices, such as cotter pins, can be used for the locking means, or a portion of the clip can be formed in such shape as to be sprung into locked relation with a portion of the base, which, in turn, can be composed of resilient material. The

,clip and locking elements positively restrain the panel from outward movement, but such clips can be sprung out of locked relation to release the panel. A number of the clips are applied in spaced relation about the marginal portions of each panel.

In connection with the clips and supports, a cover strip, or molding, of sheet material co-opcrates in a novel arrangement of the clips therewith to provide a finished appearance for the structure, as well as a firm assembly of elements. This cover strip is provided with a raised portion or suitably inclined surface formed on flanges which can be snapped into engagement with the clips and increase the tension of the latter in holding the panels in place.

The clips and co-operating cover strips can be applied either to single or multiple panel constructlon, in which one set of clips can be used for all of the multiple panel constructions or a separate set of clips can be employed for each panel in the multiple construction.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a panel and its mounting; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along the line IIII of Fig. 1; Fig, 3 is a perspective of a resilient clip included in the construction; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation of another form of panel installation; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along the line V- -V of Fig. 4; Fig, 6 is a fragmentary elevation similar to Fig. 4 and showing another form of installation; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a frag mentary elevation of another form of construction; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along the line IX-IX of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 9 and illustrating another form of clip; Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating application of the invention to multiple glazed construction; Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevation of another form of multiple glazed installation; Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line XIV-JHV of Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 11, and in which a single clip is employed for locking a double glazed construction; Fig. 16 is a fragmentary vertical section showing another form of multiple glazed construction; and Fig. 1'1 is an elevation of a centering block.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a suitable panel 20 of glass, or the like, is mounted upon a frame support2i which is provided with a sheathing strip 22 forming a part of the support and secured thereto in aconventional manner. Demountable securing clips 25, over which a cover strip or molding 26 is applied, are provided for maintaining the panel in mounted position. Each panel 20 is carried upon the base by means of spaced blocks 21 having cushioning facings 28 flange 34 that is integral with a part of an upwardly extending flange 36 of the sheathing strip.

The upper portion of the upper flange of the base strip 22 is provided with an inwardly turned flange 31 having at its outerextremity a lip 38 upon which the inner side of the panel is abutted.

A series of the clips 25, which are in the form of angle members and which can be composed of resilient sheet material, are spaced along the supporting base 2|, and each clip is provided with upper and lower arms 46 and 42, together with a seating portion 43 integral therewith. The lower clip arm 42 is in replicated form and includes a reversely turned resilient section 38 that has the seating portion 43 formed thereon and is extended to form alip or flange 4| along,

its marginal portion. In its unsprung position (Fig. 3), the section 39, including the lip 4!, stands out in spaced relation from the body of the clip. The distance from the lower edge of the lip 33 to a horizontal outwardly extending flange 44 of the sheathing or base member is such that an upwardly extending hook or lip 46 of the clip arm 42 has sufllcient space to permit it to be inserted behind the lip 33. When the clip is moved toward its position, as shown in Fig. 2, the seating portion 43 rests upon the flange 44 and the resilient arms 46 and 42, including the section 39, are disposed at such angles to each other that, as the upper arm is pressed against the outer face of the panel 20, the lower arm tends to swing upwardly toward the lip 33 and the hook 46 is snapped behind the latter lip. Appreciable pressure is required to effect this assembly and the clip 25 is then held in sprung relation in the position shown in Fig. 2. In this position, the clip positively resists any forces applied to the panel tending to displace the latter outwardly from its normal position, although the resiliency of the clip provides for the cushioning of such forces.

As many clips 25 as desired are spaced along the marginal portions of the panel in such man: ner that the spaced blocks 2'! and spaced clips do not interfere with one another. The molding strip 26 can be composed of resilient sheet material and is so formed as to provide proper strength and ornamental characteristics. This molding is also applied without separate fastening devices, and hence, its contour is not broken or marred. A lower integral flange 48 of the molding is provided with an inclined surface 49 adjacent its margin and an oppositely inclined surface 50 is spaced from the marginal edge. These inclined surfaces converge into a crest or projection 52.

In applying a molding strip 26, the flange 48 is forced laterally underneath the seating portion 43 which rides in a camming action up the surface 49 and snaps resiliently over and beyond the crest 52 to a position down the incline 50. If desirable, the flange 48 can beresilient and the clip 25 rigid. The position of the molding strip is gauged by means of a shoulder 53 formed integrally thereon adjacent the base of the flange 48 to abut the other edge of the facing flange 44. The upper portion of the molding strip has a lateral flange 54 formed with a marginal lip 55 which is normally pressed against the outer face of the panel 20 above the upper portion of the clip arm 40 and in opposed relation to the backing flange 38.

The assembling of the flange 48 underneath the seating portion 43 of the spring clip provides for further springing of the latter, and also, since the action of the clip upon the flange is downward, the upper portion of the molding strip 26 is held in sprung relation against the outer surface of the panel 20.

The molding strip can be pried outwardly from its assembled position by using a suitable tool,

while the seating portion 43 of the spring clip is forced back over the crest 52 and from the flange 48. Pressure can then be exerted upon the lower arm 42 to spring ,the latter downwardly and thus disengage the hook 46 from the lip 33. If desirable, an opening 56 can be formed in the clip 25 for receiving a tool, such as a screw driver. or bar, which can be inserted and applied to the lower arm 42 as a means for springing the latter and disengaging the hook 46 from the lip 33.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a base support 60 having a sheathing facin 62 supports a panel 63 upon suitable spaced blocks 64, and the sheathing is formed with an upper re-entrant flange 65 against which the back of the panel is disposed in abutting relation.

Spring clips 66 having upper and lower arms 6! and 68 and a seating portion 69 are arranged in spaced relation along the base support, and a marginal portion of the lower arm of each clip is provided with a fastening or anchoring lip I0. Suitable struck-out portions 12, which can be formed by a stamping operation, are provided in the sheathing 62 of the base support and these portions can be resilient, although ordinarily the resiliency of the arms 61 and 68 provides for proper springing of the clip into its proper position. The upper portion of the arm 61 rests against the outer side of the panel 63 in opposed relation to the abutting flange 65, and the seat ing portion 69 is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of a horizontal portion I3 of the sheathing 62. A raised portion or crest 14 is formed upon an inwardly extending flange 16 formed on a cover plate 11, and an upper flange 18 thereof extends over the upper portion of the clip arm 6! and rests against the front side of the panel 63. The clip 66 and the molding or cover strip 11 are assembled in substantially the same manner as the clip 25 and molding strip 26, that is,

by sliding the flange 16 underneath the seating portion 680i the clip until the latter snaps over and behind the crest I4.

In Figs. 6, and 7, the arm 68, including the lip 18, is divided or recessed, as indicated at H, to receive the struck-out portion 12 in interfltting relation and a suitable fastening element 15 engages the lip and struck-out portion to provide a positive connection of the clip to the base support.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the arrangement is somewhat similar to that just described in connection with Figs. 6 and 7, and corresponding reference characters are employed to designate equivalent elements. However, in Figs. 8 and 9, the struck-out portions 12 are omitted and the lower arm 68 of each clip is so extended that the lip lllis engageable with and hooked behind the reentrant flange 65. Also in Figs. 8 and 9, the clip is provided with a pair v of recessed end ears 80, through which a fastening element 82, such as a cotter pin, or the like. is disposed after the arms 61 and 68 have been sprung toward each other from the broken line position into the full line position shown inFig.

9. The cover strip 11 is applied in the same manner as that previously described.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 11, a base support I having a facing or sheathing I22 supports inner and outer panels I23 and I24 upon suitable spaced blocks I25, and the sheathing I22 has an upwardly extending rear flange I21 formed with a re-entrant lip I28. The rear portion of the inner panel I23 is abutted against the upper portion of the flange I27 at its lip I28.

Inner and outer spring clips I30 and I32 are provided with resilient arms I33 and I34 and seating portions I35. These clips are arranged in spaced relation along the base support and each'arm I33 is formed with a fastening or anchoring lip I38. 'I'he lip I38 of the inner clip I30 is anchored behind the flange I28 and this inner clip I30 is provided with a re-entrant lip I40 which, together with an integral bridge or web I42 and the clip arm I34,.forms a spacer between the panels I23 and I24. The lip I38 of the outer clip is anchored behind the re-entrant lip I40 of the inner clip I30. A suitable yieldable strip I43 of rubber, felt, or fibrous material, is normally compressed between the panels I23 and I24 to form an airtight construction and this strip rests upon the spacer web I42.

The clips I30 and I32 are sprung into their proper positions in the assembled structure by means of a cover or molding strip 150. An inwardly turned clip supporting flange I52 of the cover strip has an inclined marginal portion I53 over which the seating portions I35 of the clips are adapted to ride in assembling the structure, and the seating portions then are releasably anchored in depressions I54 of the flange I52.

An upwardly extending front flange I55 of the cover strip extends over the upper portion of the outer clip I32 and provides a clean ornamental appearance.

In Figs. 12, 13 and 14, both of the clips I30 and I32 have their anchoring lips I38 snapped behind the re-entrant lip I28 of the sheathing flange I2| instead of providing the locking arrangement of the kind shown in Fig. 11.

In Fig. 15, the outer clip is omitted and the inner clip I30 cooperates with the cover strip I50 and sheathing flange I21 to lock the multiple glazed construction in assembled relation.

A single outer clip I32 is employed in the arrangement shown in Fig. 16 and a spacer I similar in function to the spacer I43 is formed of fibrous material, or the like, and has therein a breather duct I82 communicating from the space between the space beneath the cover strip I50 and thence to the atmosphere. Caulking compound, or rubber I83 is applied on opposite sides of the spacer I80 and is compressed when the panels I23 and I24 are forced toward each other.

Although several illustrative forms of the invention have been shown and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a panel supporting and locking construction. a supporting base, a panel carried bythe base and abutted at one side against a portion of the base, and a spring clip having an intermediate seating portion and having a pair of arms extending integrally from the seating portion, means holding the arms assembled in engagement with the panel and base to lock said panel against displacement from the base, one of said arms having a replicated portion terminating adjacent the seating portion.

2. In a panel supporting and locking construction, a supporting base, a panel carried by the base and abutted at one side against a portion of the base, and a spring clip having an intermediate seating portion and having a pair of arms extending integrally from the seating portion, means holding the arms assembled in engagement with the panel and base to lock said panel against displacement from the base, one of said arms having a replicated'portion terminating in a lip and engageable in spring relation with the other arm in the assembled relation of the clip in the construction.

3. In a panel supporting and locking construction, a supporting base, a panel carried by the base and abutted at its inner side against a portion of the base, and a spring clip having converging arms and being in the form of an angle member, an intermediate portion of the clip constituting a seating area, one arm having a locking member and being sprung into locked engagement with a portion of the base to hold the panel against outward displacement, the other arm normally resting against the outer side ofthe panel and exerting force thereagainst and having an opening therethrough to receive a tool applicable to spring the first-mentioned arm out of locked relation with the base.

4. In a store front construction, a supporting base having substantially upright and horizontal walls, a panel having its inner side braced laterally by the upright wall, an angular clip having a seating portion and integral resilient arms one of which normally presses against the outer side of the panel, said upright wall and the other resilient arm having elements automatically eri'gageable in sprung relation of the latter arm in response to movement of the clip into position against the outer side of the panel and positively locking the latter against outward movement from the base, and a cover plate having a flange disposed along the horizontal base wall underneath the seating portion of the clip and said cover plate covering the clip to provide a molding effect along the marginal portion of the panel, said flange having a raised portion behind which the seating portion is normally disposed in sprung relation.

5. In a store front construction, a supporting base having substantially upright and horizontal walls, a panel having its inner side braced laterally by the upright wall, said upright wall having a shoulder facing rearwardly, an angular clip having opposed resilient arms and an intermediate seating portion, an end portion of one of t-hearms having a hook formation normally sprung behind said shoulder, the other arm being normally sprung against the outer side of the panel whereby-the latter is locked by the clip against outward movement, and a cover plate having a flange disposed along the horizontal base wall underneath said seating portion and said cover plate covering the clip to provide a molding effect along the marginal portion of the panel, said flange having a raised portion behind which said seating portion is normally disposed to prevent accidental displacement thereof and over which said seating portion is snapped in assembling the clip and cover plate.

6. In a panel supporting and locking construction, a supporting base having substantially upright and horizontal 'walls, a panel having its inner side braced laterally by the upright wall, a resilient angular clip having a seating portion and a portion bearing against the outer side of the panel, said angular clip and base having registering openings, fastening elements passing through the openings and constituting therewith "a pivotal connection demountably locking the panel against displacement from the base, and a cover plate having an inwardly turned flange disposed along the horizontal base wall underneath the seating portion of the clip, said cover plate covering the clip and the latter being pivotally movable about said fastening elements to receive the flange thereunder to provide a molding efiect along the marginal portion of the panel, said flange having a raised portion behind which the seating portion is normally disposed in sprung relation.

7. In a store front construction, a supporting base having substantially upright and horizontal walls, a panel having its inner side braced laterally by the upright wall, a securing member having a seating portion, said member including a panel pressing part extending to the lower marginal portion of the outer side of the panel, said member also including a locking part extending integrally from the seating portion and interlocking with a coacting portion of the supporting base, and a cover plate having a lower flange disposed along the horizontal base Wall holding the securing member spaced from the latter wall in sprung relation and operable to raise the seating portion upon insertion of the horizontal flange underneath the latter portion, said flange having a raised portion behind which the seating portion is snapped and is disposed in its sprung relation.

8. In a store front construction, a supporting base having substantially upright and horizontal walls, a panel having its inner side braced laterally by the upright wall, a securing member having a seating portion, said member including a panel pressing part extending to the lower marginal portion of the outer side of the panel, said member also including a locking part extending integrally from the seating portion and automatically interlocking with a coacting portion of the supporting base in response to movement of the securing member along the horizontal wall to its position laterally against the panel, and a cover plate having a lower flange disposed along the horizontal base wall holding the securing member spaced from the latter wall in sprung relation and operable to raise the seating portion upon insertion of the horizontal flange underneath the latter portion, said flange having a raised portion behind which the seating portion is snapped and is disposed in its sprung relation, said plate overlapping the entire outer side 01 said securing member to provide a molding effect along the marginal portion of the panel.

EDWARD F. TONEY. WILLIAM OWEN. 

